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PhD Conferrings in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
On 12 June 2014, five students in the PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology were conferred with a PhD in Cancer Biology from UCC. The conferring marks the completion of the first two cohorts of PhD students in the PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology with nine students earning PhD in Cancer Biology from UCC. Eight more students are due to complete in 2016.
This Programme was established in 2008 with a €4.3 million award from the Health Research Board to develop PhD training with an underlying focus on cell signalling systems and gene regulation. The Scholars Programme is directed by Professor Rosemary O’Connor, with additional leadership and management provided by a Steering Committee comprising: Professor John Atkins, Professor Tom Cotter, and Professor Tommie McCarthy, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology; Professor Noel Caplice, Department of Medicine; and Professor Paul Redmond, Department of Surgery. The Programme has also benefitted from input and advice from an External Advisory Board consisting of Professor Gerard Evan, University of Cambridge; Dr Helke Hillebrand, EMBL; and Professor Donald McDonnell, Duke University.
Dr Finola Fogarty and Professor Rosemary O'Connor, PhD Conferrings, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Photo credit: Mary Heapes, School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology.
Dr Kellie Dean, Training Coordinator for the PhD Scholars Programme, has facilitated and monitored the progress of the students through the programme and provided ongoing support and mentorship to the PhD Scholars.
This was one of the first, 4-year structured PhD programmes in UCC. The programme follows a “1+3” model that included one year of laboratory rotation projects, taught elements and general scientific training, with a focus on the biological and clinical aspects of cancer. In year 2 of the programme, the students selected a project and supervisor for their PhD research. Throughout the programme, they had research seminars with national and international speakers and advanced training workshops. With support from the Programme and Eli Lilly, some PhD Scholars have presented their work at international conferences including Gordon Research Conferences, the American Association for Cancer Research annual meetings, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meetings, and EMBO/EMBL Symposia. To date, students in the PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology have authored 14 publications in various journals including Oncogene, Blood, Cancer Research, PLoS One, PNAS, Biochemistry Journal, Analytical Biochemistry, FEBS Journal, and RNA Biology.
Students conferred on 12 June with PhD in Cancer Biology include:
- Abrar Ahmed, supervised by Dr Ruaidhri Carmody
- Kathy Barriscale, supervised by Professor Tommie McCarthy
- Janina Berghoff, supervised by Dr Justin McCarthy
- Fionola Fogarty, supervised by Professor Rosemary O’Connor
- Ronan O’Riordan, supervised by Dr Tom Moore.
Dr Kathy Barriscale and Professor Tommie McCarthy, PhD Conferrings, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Photo credit: Mary Heapes, School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology.
Dr Justin McCarthy and Dr Jyoti Chibber, PhD Conferrings, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Photo credit: Mary Heapes, School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology.
Dr Zhenfei Ning and Dr Ronan O'Riordan, PhD Conferrings, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Photo credit: Mary Heapes, School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology.
Dr Will Landry, PhD Conferrings, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Photo credit: Mary Heapes, School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology.
Dr Maura Hannon and Professor Tommie McCarthy, PhD Conferrings, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Photo credit: Mary Heapes, School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology.